A Tomb-Keeper's Lot, Chapter 6
For what seemed like the hundredth time, Marik examined the stone door of the chamber, looking desperately for any cracks or gaps or other weaknesses in it that could possibly provide them with a much needed way out.
Odion examined the door frame and walls, trying to determine their thickness to see if any weak points could be found.
Fenuku meanwhile sat against the wall, trying vainly to rest and not take any more oxygen than was necessary.
None of them knew how much time they had before their oxygen ran out; they had already blown out as many of the torches in the room as they could without leaving themselves in pitch blackness, but they had no idea whether The Chief intended to leave them there to die or if he intended to release them at some point. They were not willing to chance the latter.
As Marik checked a spot on the door that by now was very familiar and once again found nothing of consequence, he could feel the hope seeping out of him.
There was nothing. No weak points, no way out, and no chance of saving his sister.
With a viscious cry he rammed his fist against the door, bruising and scratching his knuckles, but neither caring nor noticing it in his anger.
Odion looked on in worry, but he understood well his brother's anger.
Their sister was out there, somewhere, at the mercy of an imposter; and there was nothing either could do to help her.
Marik leaned against the stone, breathing heavily as he tried to regain control of himself.
He couldn't stand this; being trapped in this musty tomb. The smell of the ointments was suffocating, and every move kicked up a new cloud of dust which stuck in their throats and made it impossible to draw a full breath.
But it was the dark that made it unbearable.
Since he was a child Marik had been afraid of the dark – he had nothing good to associate with it – and as the few lit torches in the room grew dimmer and dimmer, Marik felt as if the shadows were creeping up on him, reaching for him.
He felt terrified, helpless, and like a confused little child all over again.
"It wasn't supposed to go this way," he breathed out heavily, his eyes squeezed shut and his fists clenched, "this was supposed to be over; all the pain and misery of this place… We've fulfilled our duties! Why is our family still suffering?!"
He slammed his fists against the door again and turned away, falling back against the door in defeat.
With characteristic softness Odion placed a hand on his younger brother's head, smoothing his hair lightly in a calming gesture. "We will get out of here Marik. We will help our sister."
Marik huffed in frustration, but Odion had succeeded in soothing his temper somewhat. He looked over at his brother with questioning eyes and said softly "How can you be so optimistic Odion? Especially when there's no sign of hope?"
Odion smiled, a wistful look in his eyes as he said "I am used to holding out hope when there is none to be found. And frankly Marik, it has served me well. After all, you're here, aren't you?"
Marik felt a stinging in his eyes and a lump in his throat. He didn't deserve such a devoted brother, but he most certainly could not survive without him.
"I'm sorry Odion."
"Don't be, brother." Odion ruffled his hair softly, and Marik couldn't help but smile. "We just need to teach you to have faith."
Marik gazed up appreciatively at the man, but suddenly he felt something strange: a twinge in his soul, as if it was reaching out to something or something was calling to it.
He had felt something like this before.
And it filled him with terror.
"Odion…."
His brother nodded quickly, his face drawn in concentration. "I feel it too Marik."
He locked frightened eyes with his older brother, hoping that what they were feeling did not mean more trouble. "A Millennium Item."
Fenuku raised his head quickly, turning it sharply to his nephew as he gasped "A Millenium Item? Here? But how? I thought you gave ours to the Pharaoh?"
"I did!" Marik said abruptly, "but this isn't one of ours! I know the feel of those. This one… it's vaguely familiar, but… I don't know where I've felt it before…."
His uncle stared in confusion, starting "But then how- "
FWOOM! CRACK!
All three men jumped and stared at the stone door, which was unmoved but from which the sound had definitely originated.
"It's on the other side of the door!" Marik shouted, backing away slightly as he stared unbelieving at the stone.
Odion nodded, at the ready to fight whatever force might be outside the room.
There were a few more small cracking sounds from the other side, and Marik thought he could see a thin fracture line growing from the bottom of the door to the top.
Suddenly a shock-wave of power coursed through the door and across the room as a thundering crack sounded in their ears and the door burst into pieces before them in an avalanche of dirt and rock.
Coughing and fanning away the cloud of dust filling the air, Marik cracked an eye open and saw a tall silhouette in the now open door frame.
The figure seemed to be draped in a robe, with cloth wrapped around its head, and as more dust cleared, the light of the few torches in the chamber gleamed off of a gold object hung around the figure's neck.
A golden Ankh.
The Millennium Key.
Marik gasped and backed away, grabbing for his brother's arm. Odion held onto his brother protectively, also recognizing the figure before them.
"It- it's you!" Marik sputtered, pointing a shaking finger at the man, "The stranger who appeared the day I went aboveground!"
Images surfaced in Marik's mind of the mysterious man he and his sister had encountered in the city that day; the man who had shown up again inside the tomb after Marik's evil alternate-self had killed his father, only to say that it was the will of the nameless Pharaoh that his family should suffer.
For much of his life Marik had thought this stranger was the one who had committed the murder, but knowing the truth now didn't change the fear he felt over this strange apparition.
"Who are you? H-how are you here?!"
The man stared coolly at Marik and Odion, unfazed by their reactions or the rubble around him.
"I am Shadi." He said, his steady voice echoing in the chamber, "I am an ancient spirit tasked with protecting the Millenium Items and preparing the way for the Pharaoh's return. I am here to help."
Marik continued to stare at the man, processing what he had learned.
He was still shook up by the flood of memories Shadi's appearance had brought, but no longer was Marik afraid of him.
Fenuku stood then, brushing the dirt from his robes and stepping over chunks of rock towards the others. He bowed respectfully to Shadi and said "We thank you for your help. We are indebted to you, Spirit."
Shadi nodded respectfully back, but turned to look directly at Marik, saying "You may repay me by fulfilling your duties and preparing for the Pharaoh's arrival."
Marik looked back with helplessness in his eyes. "But how? That man pretending to be Chief is in control of everything down here! How are we supposed to fight him when there's no one to stand against him?"
With unwavering calm Shadi explained "You will stand against him Marik. As the one who delivered the Pharaoh's message, it is your destiny to lead this clan to the completion of its mission."
Disbelief clouded Marik's eyes, and feelings of inadequacy overwhelmed him. "But I have no right to stand against him. I'm as much a disgrace as he is. No one will follow me."
Shadi smiled at that, surprising the three with the unexpected show of emotion.
"You have truly come a long way, Marik Ishtar. I believe you can do this. Go – find your family. They will help you rise to your destiny."
Suddenly he was gone. Marik blinked, almost unsure if he had ever really been there at all.
He turned back to look at his brother, who smiled reassuringly at him, and then at his Uncle, who looked at him expectantly, ready to follow his lead.
He could feel their trust, their confidence in him, and he wondered how someone who had once abandoned his family and traditions could now be entrusted with leading them out of the darkness.
Marik gazed appreciatively at the men, holding his head high, and with a deep breath to ready himself he squared his shoulders and said "Alright then, let's go find the rest of our family."
*Author's Note:
Sorry, bit of a shorter chapter today. That's just how this section turned out.
But don't worry, next week we get some real action! I'll be working on it tonight and I'm really excited about it! There's some interesting stuff in store.
Once again, thanks so much for all the reviews and whatnot – you guys really make my day! I'm always happy to hear that people enjoy my writing.
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